Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The warm-hearted musical adaptation of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON arrives Off-Broadway

• By drediman
• October 22, 2026
• No Comments

Last night, the highly anticipated musical adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater. The familiar tale about a man who ages in reverse through much of the twentieth century first saw the light of day as a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In 2008, it was adapted into a well-received film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, which expanded the universe of the short story. Most recently, it was turned into an Olivier Award-winning musical by Jethro Compton (book, lyrics, direction, and scenic design) and Darren Clark (music and lyrics), reseting the story from various locales in the United States to a small Cornish fishing village and beyond. For its US premiere, the production has been recast with an entirely American company, and I’m happy to report that they do the work proud.

Driven by brisk communal storytelling — much like the popular musical Come from Away and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s legendary, day-long The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby — much of this stage version of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button goes down rather easily, bringing the material back to its literary roots. As a result of the highly narrated ensemble approach, a number of the show’s many characters register necessarily as only passing (albeit often amusing) imprints, with the exception of the central roles of Benjamin and his lifelong love interest Elowen Keene. As befits the musical’s new setting on the Cornish coast, Compton and Clark’s score is an appealing amalgamation of unabashedly sentimental British folk songs, which are beautifully performed by the tireless cast, who are tasked to both sing and play instruments. Indeed, as meticulously blocked and choreographed by Compton and dance-maker Chi-San Howard on a rustic two-tiered wooden set, the resourceful staging is welcome reminder that resource limitations can often times lead to theater magic.

Grounding The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the very busy and versatile Andrew Durand in the title role. As with his Tony-nominated turn in Dead Outlaw, his performance as Benjamin Button is a carefully-calibrated piece of acting, most notably in the subtle shifts in his demeanor and physicality as the character grows younger. Also worth highlighting is the sterling-voiced Kelsee Kimmel, who is simply luminous as Elowen. But in my estimation, the real star of the show is the ensemble itself. Their assertive collective storytelling — as well as their exuberant music-making — is rich in detail, while coming across with impressive clarity. Their seamless work envelopes over the audience like a comforting, well-worn blanket. The net effect of it all is akin to sitting rapt by the fireplace listening to an absorbing, warm-hearted yarn unspool.

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THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Off-Broadway, Musical
The Public Theater
2 hours, 45 minutes (including an intermission)
Through December 6